US sanctions Russian citizen for helping money laundering • No clarity yet on Ukrainian presidential elections in 2024

Today, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Ekaterina Zhdanova, a Russian national who helped the Russian elite launder and transfer hundreds of millions of dollars using virtual currencies. All of its assets in the United States have been frozen and American citizens are prohibited from dealing with it. The Ministry announced this today via a press release.

Zhdanova allegedly helped a Russian agent hide the source of his wealth by transferring more than $2.3 million to Western Europe. This happened through a fraudulently opened investment account and the purchase of real estate in 2022. This led to the circumvention of international sanctions imposed by the United States, among other countries, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The woman is also said to have helped Russian oligarchs find refuge in other countries. For example, a Russian oligarch asked Zhdanova to transfer more than $100 million to the UAE, where she set up a bank account and may have helped obtain a (fake) ID card.

“Our action today highlights the consequences of supporting corrupt Kremlin agents, underscores U.S. efforts to address the abuse of virtual currencies, and exposes the money laundering activities of an illicit entity,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. .

Sebas van Aert